Office of Homeless Services Frequently Asked Questions

Does OHS support Tennessee’s felony camping law?

OHS does not establish state law or make decisions about how criminal statutes are enforced. Our responsibility is to help people move from unsheltered homelessness into safe, stable housing. OHS believes homelessness is most effectively addressed through persistent outreach, supportive services and housing.

Does OHS believe this person should have been arrested?

Arrest and charging decisions are the responsibility of law enforcement and prosecutors. OHS’s responsibility is to continue engaging the individual and offering pathways to housing and supportive services.

What is OHS's response when individuals living in encampments refuse services?

Declining an offer at one point does not end outreach. Our teams continue engaging people and offering assistance as circumstances and readiness change.

Does Metro use law enforcement to resolve encampments?

Metro’s homelessness response is led by outreach, service connection and housing coordination. OHS does not use arrest as a substitute for outreach or housing. Law enforcement may have a separate role when there are immediate safety concerns, reported criminal activity, legal property-access issues or another matter within its authority. When law enforcement involvement is necessary, OHS’s role remains focused on engaging people, coordinating services and identifying the best available housing options.

Nashville’s published outdoor-homelessness strategy describes outreach as a systemwide, housing-focused practice connected to Coordinated Entry.

Can Nashville end an encampment when permanent housing is unavailable?

Yes. An encampment may need to close because of property ownership, health and safety conditions, infrastructure work, environmental hazards or other lawful requirements, even when permanent housing is not immediately available for every person.

Before and during a planned closure, OHS works with outreach partners to engage residents, assess their needs and connect them with the best available shelter, interim housing, supportive services and permanent-housing resources. Individuals connected to a planned encampment closure may be prioritized for available community resources, but prioritization does not guarantee an immediate permanent-housing placement. Outreach and housing navigation should continue after the physical site closes.